🔗 Share this article Why Real Madrid Possess 'Total Trust' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.
The teenager has featured in seven games for the Spanish giants, including five starts. When an teenage makes club a historic moment in a key Champions League match against Manchester City, it naturally attracts praise and the spotlight. During his first start in the tournament - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch made a strong impression as the fifteen-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also had his Real debut in the qualifying round a few weeks prior with a cameo off the bench at Sporting Lisbon, then assisted Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's second leg to secure a quarter-final berth. Aged 18 years and 226 days, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to start twice in the Champions League's latter rounds, surpassing Brazil forward Vinicius Jr's previous mark by 10 days. Rapid Ascent Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to emerge from the club's academy and is quickly establishing himself as one of the manager's most exciting young players. He joined Madrid from Leganes in 2023, having formerly spent time at Atletico Madrid and Getafe's youth teams, and starting out for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a strong impression. Pitarch worked his way up to the reserve side and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the senior squad, then managed by the former defender, where the teenager is said to have drawn the eye of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in the new year. Reports would later describe the moment as "love at first sight," noting Pitarch excelled not only for his skill on the ball, but for the vitality, personality and drive he added to the side. 'His Best Attribute Remains His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Alonso called up the youngster to practice with the first team and gave him minutes in pre-season. Yet, it was the change in manager that became the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in each leg against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Manchester City. "I have dreamed of this each night before going to bed, the very first time I started playing football, each day you head to training and each day you have a game," stated Pitarch after his first appearance. "I have just achieved my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a first start in La Liga against Getafe - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his place for the following four as fitness issues to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opportunity. Pitarch has taken it with displays that have defied his youth and experience. "He is a very quick footballer, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely dynamic, with great endurance, work-rate and mobility." Pitarch's mentality has also stood out to his manager. "His standout trait is his personality," continued he. "He constantly demands the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand people are surprised to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had total trust in him to do his normal game. "He will keep receiving chances with the first team. It is delightful to coach a talent like him." Spain or Morocco? Pitarch was born in a Madrid suburb, in the Spanish capital's community, and was raised fully immersed in Spanish football, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's renowned La Fabrica system. He holds both Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, giving him the option to play for both nations at senior international level. According to Fifa eligibility rules, players may appear for multiple nations at youth level without being permanently tied, with the final decision only binding once they play in a official full international. Pitarch has featured for Spain at youth level, representing both the under-19 and U20 sides, and took part in the 2025 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, where Spain reached the last eight. Nevertheless, he has not yet decided to any full national side, who are monitoring his rise with keen attention. Speaking recently, Pitarch confirmed: "I have not taken my ultimate choice so far. Things are positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a conclusion soon." His situation echoes that of other bi-national talents such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barca star Yamal. While 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz decided to play for the Atlas Lions. Focus on the Future For now, his attention is on making his mark in the Real side and rewarding his manager's belief. He played over an hour in the two-one victory at City, which completed a five-one overall triumph and a quarter-final matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in younger players to aid the club pursue trophies to come. After his notable contributions so far on the Champions League, the midfielder is expected to be a central figure in that. "Arbeloa treats me the same. We deal with it very naturally. I attempt not to think about it too much - I must earn my playing time on the pitch," he said following the success at Etihad Stadium.